Aug 26, 2015 - 1 min read

Heiki Yashiki Museum of Folklore

Traditional home in the Iya Valley of Tokushima

By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

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The home is hidden on a mountainside above the main road.

Look for this sign if you want to visit the museum. There is ample parking available for visitors.

It is a short, uphill walk to the entrance to the compound. The fee is 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for children.

The home-turned-museum is owned by a descendant of Naiki Horikawa, young Emperor Antoku's personal physician.

Historical documents and materials related to the Heiki Clan are on display inside the home. Unfortunately, they are only labeled in Japanese.

The museum is open year-round, from 8:00 - 17:00 (until 18:00 from Mar-Oct). Guests are always welcome to sit down and relax at the irori.

The storehouse is roofed with tiles, which was very unusual in this area during the time it was built. There is also an 800+ year old tree in the compound.

In 1183, the Heiki clan lost a decisive battle in Kyoto. Clan members who survived fled deep into remote mountain areas around Japan. Naiki Horikawa ended up here, in the Iya Valley. His decendants have turned his home into a museum filled with historical artifacts related to the Heiki clan.

The museum is a short distance by car from the famous vine suspension bridge, Iya-no-Kazura Bashi. As the bridge was also built by the Heiki clan, this is a good stop for those who want to learn more about the people who escaped to this region.